Tropes: Figurative Language

Allusion

short, informal reference to a generally well-known place, person, event, etc. Most common types: Shakespearian, mythological, Biblical, historical. ex. start to build your ark; the meteorologist is forecasting at least 4 inches of rain over night.

Analogy

An extended comparison between two unlike things (similar to metaphor/simile); usually a well-known thing is employed to explain something less familiar. ex. in the same way Islamic radicalism is one of the curses of our times, so is celebrity culture.

Irony

The contrast between what seems to be and what really is, there are three types.

Dramatic Irony

the reader or audience knows more about what is happening/what is about to happen than the characters do. (Think Romeo and Juliet with the poison

Situational Irony

an event is the opposite of what is expected. ex. lottery winners go bankrupt two years later

Verbal Irony

words mean the opposite of what is intended, also sarcasm. ex. Great weather, right? when there is the 3rd consecutive weekend snowstorm.

Metaphor

figure that makes a comparison without using like or as. It’s different from analogy in that it usually describes with vivid language rather than try to explain something unfamiliar. ex. “Dr. King was truly a king among men”

Metonymy

reference to something closely related to the actual subject, so standing in for the object itself ex. the throne was overjoyed by the prince’s wedding (throne for queen) or Marv had a good head (head for brain)

Paradox

An impossible pair that does point to a truth. ex. we had to destroy the village on order to save it

Synecdoche

use of a part of something to represent the whole (very close to metonymy) ex. then from 5000 throats and more there rose a lusty yell (throats for crowd) or A fleet of a hundred sails launched from the harbor (sails for ships)

Understatement (similar term: litotes)

force of description is less than one might expect. This can emphasize an idea, calm a reader, highlight an extreme nature, or add humor. (can also fall under verbal irony) ex. As Rhodes Scholar, I know a bit about that topic, or One nuclear bomb can really ruin a whole day.

Juxtaposition

placing things close together, side by side, to contrast/ compare